life

In case you missed the news, many high school students who took the June SAT were surprised to learn their scores were lower than they expected. Some knew something was up as many reported the math section seemed particularly easy. Students and parents were unhappy with the unexpected outcome and took to social media almost immediately to make a case. On Twitter, @rescoreJuneSAT went as far as creating a petition and encouraged followers and those perplexed test-takers to sign in hopes of drawing attention from The College Board.

With many dollars and countless hours spent on preparing for tests such as the SAT, students and tutors work hard to maximize the strategies and content by focusing on specific deficiencies or strengths in hopes to raise the score. Students strive to push the bar on their scores for a variety of reasons. Some are being considered for scholarships or honors program placements. But, the most notorious of them all are those hoping to impress or influence an office of college admission.

The results from the June SAT brought considerable disappointment as it literally changed the story for many of these students. Scholarships would not be awarded, honors programs could not be applied for and that “better score” to flash at admissions was going to be far less glamorous.

Some wondered how this could happen when the SAT is a “standardized test.” Allow me to offer a brief explanation that may shed some light on why and how this could happen. Have you ever taken a test or quiz in a class where the teacher graded on a curve? Well, believe it or not, every time you take the SAT it too is graded on a curve. Most of the time it’s hardly noticeable and it’s meant to keep the scoring standardized. But because the math section for the June SAT was particularly easy to most, it elevated most of the test-takers to the top. There-in-lies the problem — and here comes the curve!

It’s painful knowing the implications of diminished returns on tests like the June SAT. It’s truly heartbreaking when one begins to think about all the lost possibilities. But instead of focusing on how this happened or why this happened, I’d like to suggest a few lessons we might learn from this experience.

Here are a few suggestions to consider as students prepare and plan for their future SAT or ACT tests.

Plan Ahead

June is a great opportunity to take the SAT, especially since it’s in the summer while there are fewer distractions and commitments. However, it’s important to plan your testing strategy early so that the June SAT is not the ONLY SAT you take. As a rising senior, this is your last opportunity to take the SAT before submitting your applications to college. By waiting until June to take the SAT you are placing all of your eggs in one basket.

Know the Landscape

It makes sense as a high school junior or rising junior to take a standardized test “cold-turkey.” It’s a good way to get a feel for the test. Along with learning the general feel for the test, it’s equally important to know about the general content to expect on the test. Self-help study guides can be found at your local bookstore and many test-prep tutors can coach you through the content. When you are unfamiliar with the test and its content, you’ll likely find yourself with a score far below your true ability and possibly even below college admissibility standards. So, do your best to know before you go.

Practice

Whether you are an athlete, an artist or a “book-worm,” practicing trains the body and mind to accomplish the desired outcome. Grandma always used to say, “Practice makes perfect!” And, while we know perfection may, in fact, be far away, practice will bring you closer to perfect than ever before. Practicing for the SAT or ACT used to be accomplished only by taking the actual test over and over, resulting in an expensive practice strategy and the results were reported. Now, it’s easier than ever before to practice taking these tests. Both SAT and ACT offer practice tests in their official study guides. For a more realistic practice test, you may want to check out your local test-prep companies. Some of them administer the test under the same testing parameters you would find in an actual testing setting and some even provide a detailed score report for added value! Capstone Educational Consultants is one of those offering such a service.

Take it Again

Taking the SAT or the ACT several times can serve as a series of benchmarks that can assist in knowing where to focus. My grandma used to also say, “Life happens!” And she was right! When it comes to the day you are scheduled to take the SAT or ACT — life will happen. But sometimes life will throw a curveball and take you off your game. Sleep through the alarm? Miss breakfast? Can’t find your keys? Forget your calculator? Family tragedy? All of these and many others can impact your testing performance. This is why it’s important to plan ahead, know the testing landscape, practice and take it again!

Making that college decision by May 1 is one of the most important deadlines to remember. It has been a whirlwind up to this point — applications, essays, campus visits, research, and those long SAT’s or ACT’s. Nothing feels more right than to finally put your feet up and take a break, after all, you have worked hard to get here! But unfortunately, there is no time to rest for the weary. It’s decision time and it’s an enormous decision!

This is the time of year when colleges and universities are waiting on you! But even though they are waiting, they only allow a specified amount of time before those coveted spots are released for others seeking a college to call home.

The May 1 deadline, also known as National Deposit Day to some, is the official day by which current seniors must make up their minds on where they plan to enroll. Sounds easy, right? It is a difficult decision for many and unless you are prepared it can become more stressful than getting admitted.

Here are a few things to consider to assist in making this a “no-regret” decision.

Like any large purchase, cost is a major factor — take a look at the money. Hopefully by this point you and your family have completed the FAFSA. Be sure to know when the Financial Aid Application deadline is at each school on your “make a decision” list. It is important not to make a decision based on the “sticker price” because any financial aid – (grants, loans, scholarships, etc.) will offset this bottom line. Be on the lookout for the college to provide you with a Financial Aid Award Letter soon!

When it comes to the things you love most, how does the college measure up against those things that interest you? Whether it be hiking, snow-skiing nearby, certain clubs or organizations on or off campus, shopping, fishing or the such — look more in-depth than just the surface into how the college can satisfy this need.

If you are confident on your academic focus, how does the colleges compare as it relates to their program’s reputation, quality and outcomes? It would be super if all programs were equal, but they are not. Do as much insightful research into the programs as possible — it’s amazing how much you’ll come to learn.

Did I mention opportunities? Opportunities to engage with professors and the community are critical to building your readiness for the “real-world” with experience through internships or by volunteering.

Consider the Big Picture! When you take a look at the big picture, it is likely no one school will fit everything on your wish list perfectly. Take a look at the big picture to see what is most important, what weighs more or less and apply those things to what value would be added to both your personal and professional growth.

Nothing gains more attention than a movie star making an acceptance speech for an award that would otherwise go unnoticed if not for the unexpected! And that’s exactly what happened at this year’s Teen Choice Awards. It was to be nothing but an award with a very predictable response. After all, it was Ashton with an audience of teenaged girls. At first, the crowd was usual, but Ashton clearly had something to say and then he shared the unexpected!

He may have made slight jokes about being the oldest in the room, but no one can deny the wisdom and maturity he shared in his acceptance speech. The lessons he shared were priceless and many along the road of life can apply his three very critical points to their own daily lives. So, how might his wisdom be applied in the life of the college-bound student?

Ashton . . . or should I say, Chris . . . stated three very important points that the college-bound high school student can use in their own personal journey to college.

His first point was Opportunity! This is a great reminder of where we are today as a country, community and especially, as a college-bound student. “It takes hard work,” Kutcher expressed. Isn’t that the truth! Without hard work, opportunity merely turns into a hand-out. So students, this is equally critical to your future! Kutcher’s example of “being lucky to have a job” can easily be applied to getting to the college of your dreams. It’s going to take hard work — every day! But as he noted, opportunity equals hard work!

His second point was Being Sexy! I can’t think of a single college-bound student that doesn’t think about the value of being sexy. But being sexy to Kutcher is not what most of us expected to hear from him and truly set him apart. Being sexy isn’t something on the outside and that’s something we have always wanted our children to understand. Kutcher makes it distinguishably clear that being sexy means being smart, thoughtful and generous. The college-bound student can reap a heap of reward by applying this principle each day they grace the halls of their high school. It’s hard to write in an essay or describe how sexy you are to an admissions officer, but by being sexy — being smart, being thoughtful, being generous — the college bound student will in turn have the opportunity to share with admissions officers about their life rewards!

His third and final point was Living Life! Nothing speaks louder to a high school student than an adult blessing them with the freedom to “live it up!” But to Kutcher, “living” is not just watching the clock tick life away. Instead, Kutcher encouraged his audience of teenage girls to “build life!” This involves intentional moments that construct your life into one that others will live in. After all, the life we live in was “built by others no smarter than you!” In other words, Ashton reminds these girls that they are capable of great things — so “build it!” For the college-bound student, the same is true! You are capable of great things, so don’t give up on your journey, work hard and pursue your dreams! The future is yours! College may be right around the corner and careers may be just a few blocks further ahead, but you can start today building your life!

College-bound students . . . stay true to who you are! Take the wisdom Ashton managed to condense in a four-minute speech. By applying these three points to your every day life you take ownership and responsibility for your future while inspiring others to be the best they can be. Do this by working hard, being smart, being thoughtful, being generous and investing in your own future by building life! It’s your time to shine . . . go for it!